Home Sweet Home Part II

As I started off in my last post, a lot of stuff happened since Terrific Tuesday. 

Soon the nice day started to cloud over.  And then the clouds got darker.   And darker.    Then it was night and the rains came. 

The next morning the car was loaded with stuff from the root cellar and my suitcase…YEH! got my own suitcase!  A trip!  Whoopie! 

We had breakfast and started off just before daybreak.  My Human Momma was driving slowly because the twisty mountain roads were wet and often covered with wet leaves.  If you go off lots of times there are no guard rails and it just drops.  Sometimes it’s scary. 

After daybreak my Humans decided we all needed to stretch our legs.  Momma got this picture before Papa rushed us into the car and off again.  We made several more stops, but while we all got to stretch, this was the only picture the Humans took. 

You can see how the sky is starting to get blue spots and the clouds laying in the valley beyond with the mountains we just left rising in the distance. 

Then finally we got back to the shore!  And I got to run around and check things out.  It was hot though and I was soon ready to go inside and have a nice drink of water. 

 

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Home Sweet Home

Lots of stuff has happened since I posted about Terrific Tuesday! 

After my post Tuesday morning, we rushed out underneath storm clouds and winds and took a chance on a hike.  You can see how the leaves are thinning out.  But it is still beautiful!  There is enough color and contrast to feel the enchantment of the season.  Here I am waiting while the humans take some more photos. Sometimes I get the devil in me!  Or maybe just change into a fox!   But all the slopes and hills eventually even cause me to pause and walk. Yeh, that’s my tongue hangin’ out.  You can see a lot more of the countryside when the leaves come off.  Once I get my breath, I’m off again! Then my Humans found this boulder standing above the rest with an old tree stump still on it.  Since the ground is pretty much nothing but rock, the Humans depend on the leaves and rain to make top soil so grass and stuff will grow.  Since my Humans stopped to look at the boulder, I had to check it out thoroughly.  Don’t know what’s so facinatin’ about it.   Don’t see anything here on the trail either.  And now here is my Halloween color And a close up. And a couple other close up shots.           And now for the question of the day. Is it a parachute?  Is it a UFO?    Or did some falling leaves just get in the picture? 

PALOMA

 

 

 

 

Age: 4 years

Sex: F

Hi, my name is Paloma and I am a four year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever that is on the smaller side weighing 59 pounds. You may have already read that I am blind but that does not slow me down a bit.

I love to meet new people and other dogs and when people meet me they are very surprised to learn that I can’t see them. I like having dog companions to learn from and play with so would like to go to a home with another dog.

I am able to see bright light so am happy to get out for a walk or, especially, to go for a swim. If you would like a running partner I can keep up and all that I ask is for you to let me know if there is a step by saying “step” to me.

I learned to use the dog door at my foster home my very first day and am reliable left loose in the house. I have cats at my foster home and quickly learned which ones are friendly and which ones are grumpy.

I also enjoy car rides and think it is great to put my nose out the window to smell the sites going by. Being blind does not make me as special as how sweet I am so if you would like to meet a sweet girl ask for Paloma!

Paloma is spayed and up to date on all her shots.

The above information is courtesy of Petfinder.com

Terrific Tuesday

If you look hard there’s still some pretty color out there, but to stand on the mountain and look at the next ridge, the color looks faded.        

Don’t worry though, the weather, despite yesterdays morning thunderstorms, is still beautiful with temps topping out in the high 60’s.  Time for me to head out for a busy day!  Have a great Tuesday y’all!

Monday time for a laugh

We’re having a big thunderstorm here…so I time to take a snooze.

Today I copied an email sent by a Human family member to my Humans.  When I heard their laughter I thought I would share it with my Human readers.  If you are a thumb challenged, pawed reader, then it is more educational than humorous.

Read and enjoy.  I’m goin’ to snooze!

Subject: All About Pets !!
FOR  THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE  PETS,
THIS IS A TRUE  STORY.
FOR  THOSE WHO DON'T IT IS A TRUE  STORY.

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats:  The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food.  The other dishes are mine and contain my food.   Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object.  Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed.  I am very sorry about this.   Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.  Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep.  It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible.  I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door.  I must exit through the same door I entered.   Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

One more thing, staring at me while I eat to try to direct my mind to give you my food will not work (usually).  I am too old and too tired.  Go stare at the kids.  They are younger and more susceptible to mind control.  If you don't believe me, notice how they all dress alike so they can be individuals.

Finally,  in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front  door:

TO  ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO  COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here.  You don't. 
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.      That's why they call it  'fur'-niture. 
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people. 
(4) To you, they are animals.  To me, they are adopted       sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember,  dogs and cats are better than kids because  they:

(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the  time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't hang out with drug-using people;
(7) don't smoke or drink,
(8) don't want to wear your clothes,
(9) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children

Sunday time to save

I have a happy home.  If you have paws and are thumb challenged and are reading this post, you probably have a happy home too. 

The Humans go to a place called “church” and talk about someone called “God” and sometimes I hear talk of “being saved”.  This is all a little beyond me.  However, I understand “being saved” in my terms.  Whenever I post pictures of other Chessies in need of homes, I think they need to be saved. I understand “being saved” in my terms…finding a home like I have always had.  Now Dog and Human Bloggers are trying to spread the word about the auction of 800 puppy mill dogs in Missouri.  So won’t you help spread the word to all your friends on Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites. The more Humans we reach the more chance we’ll save another dog! 

Please read below and retweet or repost.

 

On Oct. 29 and 30th one of the largest puppy mills in Missouri will be closing their doors. Over 800 dogs will be put up for auction. Everyone in rescue wants these mills to shut their doors….now what are we going to do for these dogs? If we do nothing they will all go right back into the mills bought by other breeders. We can make sure that doesn’t happen and give them a chance at a new life in a loving home.
Southside Animal Shelter is partnering with animal welfare advocates to rescue as many of these dogs as possible. Volunteers will be going to Missouri to try and obtain the release of senior dogs so they aren’t forced to continue a life in a puppy mill. To do this we need temporary foster and/or adoptive homes for these survivors.
We don’t know what breeds we will be able to bring back with us, but most are smaller breeds. Most of these dogs have lived their entire lives in cages with minimal human contact. These dogs will take more time and patience than a typical dog. They may need to be house-trained, learn to trust people, learn to walk on grass or concrete and learn to know they are loved.
If you feel you can help one of these survivors find a forever home and are willing to open your home as a temporary foster, please let us know. Contact Robin at robin@ssasi.org. We need a firm commitment before we leave on Thursday, October 28th.
If you are not able to foster one of these pets, we still need your help. Many of these dogs will have medical or dental issues, will need vaccinations, altering and grooming. Southside Animal Shelter is setting up a special fund to help pay for this. You can donate by going to Chip In to Rescue Missouri Dogs or sending a check to Southside Animal Shelter, 1614 W Edgewood Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46217. Be sure to indicate this donation is for the Missouri Dogs.
Please Donate today to help give these dogs a chance at a new life. As of Friday evening I have been told that there are Rescue Organizations that can take in up to 400 of the dogs being auctioned. There are still 400 more dogs being released by this mill to be auctioned off at this event. While no one wants to put money into the pockets of the millers the fact that this mill is closed for good is the main reason why they want to get them all out of the system. I can't even imagine the horrific condition these dogs will be in when they are brought out for auction we can only hope that that will be their last day of hell and their new lives can begin.
Post on Twitter to help spread the word:
Urgent Need 2 Save Dogs (10/29-30) at 1 of the largest dog auctions in Missouri.

Please help and RT

Splendid Saturday!

Wow! Another beautiful day! 

Join the hop!

Funny Friday – a tail, err, tale, on myself

When I first came to live with my current Human family, they took things slowly as I gradually learned the house rules and the boundaries of the yard

Next I learned about the mountains, with the same restrictions.  There wasn’t much freedom. I was watched like a “hawk” and kept in my “house” when I was alone. I thought I’d never earn my freedom. 

We’d been working a lot on bringing bumpers back and handing them to Momma, both in the water and on land.  I had been used to playing keep-away. 

Eventually my Human Momma decided to start letting me stay loose in the house while both Humans were out in the yard for short periods.  All was going well and I was gaining freedom.  Then one morning both Humans walked by me, Momma laying her glasses on the chest by the door on her way outside with Papa. I thought she’d appreciate it if I picked them up and handed them to her when she came back inside.

I’m still a little confused about what happened next.  I sat in front of the door proudly holding her glasses in my mouth.  The door opened and Momma got a funny look on her face when she saw me, and Papa said “you need to punish him for that”.  But Momma said, “No, he’s a retriever!  That’s what he does.  I can’t punish him for doing his job now.”  The conversation and the expression on Momma’s face is forever burned into my brain. “I needed to punish him for takin’ them off the chest, but I didn’t see him do it and now he’s only doin’ his job”. 

Momma took her glasses, gave me a pat and said “thank you”.  Then she bent down and picked up a lense off the floor. Until the next day when both Humans took off with Momma’s glasses she seemed very uncomfortable and unhappy.

Let me tell you about Chessies…we’re extra smart and people don’t understand that.  I wasn’t punished but I understood a lot of the exchange. We understand a lot of words, and tone of voice is very important plus the body language.  We are experts reading body language. 

I have never again taken anything off of a cabinet or counter.  I retrieve only items I am told to retrieve. 

Oh, and the freedom thing?  I’ve totally earned my freedom in the house and lots of places as I’m sure you can tell if you’ve been reading my blog regularly.

A Needy Chessie who would be a wonderful family member

  Paloma is blind and needs a loving home. She is only four years old and is in Colorado. Read her full bio. 

Busy, busy, busy

Run of joy!  What perfect weather!  You can see how the foliage is changing, fading and falling.  You can see that although we are past peak, there is still plenty of color in protected areas.  

A grove of trees stands watch over falling leaves.

 Still on the go!  Enjoy the wonderful autumn day!  Beyond the grove stands naked trees while some  

leaves still cling determinedly to the branches.

 In the afternoon the Humans decided I should nap and they went to the orchard.  They claimed they had too many potatoes and apples to have room for me.  They took a few pictures from their trip. 

This morning dawned rainy and damp, so the Humans decided it was a good day for some cooking.  My Human Momma made bread and they made soup to take to a sick friend.  Everything cleared off by the time they were ready to go visit and I got to go along. 

I was able to do a little exploring. What great fun I had!  Then it was night. Time to get home and rest.